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Orange County 



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FNTY 



A History 



TlheNaitiofliial Bamk rf Ominge CoMrty 

Gosheini NewYbA 



Orange County 

A History 



The National Bank of Orange County 

Goshen, N. Y. 

Established 1812 

Francis W. Murray, Jr., President 
Charles S. Edsall, Vice-President 
Charles S. Young, Cashier 






Copyrighted 1922 by 
The National Bank of OranKe County 



MAY -2 1922 



0)ClA66150t 

"WO / 



Orange County 

A History 



THE county of Orange dates its existence by legal 
enactment from October 1st, 1691, in the third year 
of the reign of William and Mary and in the administration 
of Henry Sloughter, Esq., Governor of the colony. One of 
its earliest settlements was made near Goshen, the present 
county seat, which derives its name from the Goshen of 
the Bible: the "Promised Land" of the Scriptures. When 
Hendrick Hudson, eighty-two years previously, had sailed 
up the river which now bears his name, one of the anchor- 
ing places of his boat, the Halfe Maen, was the bay on 
which the present city of Newburgh, the largest city of 
the county, is situated. He wrote of it prophetically: 
"This is a very pleasant place to build a town on." Dense 
forests stretched westward from the river and beyond the 
highlands which the far-seeing Dutch navigator found 
even then so promising a land for future generations. 

The district of New York State to the west of the 
Hudson, which is now Orange County, was, two hundred 
and fifty years ago, a trackless forest, the home only of 
red men. When Hudson anchored in the bay, Indians 
boarded his ship and did a brisk business in exchanging 
skins for knives and ornaments. The explorer wrote in 
his journal of the tribes he encountered north of the High- 
lands, that they were a "very loving people" who used 
them well. The tribes further soufeli fee fourra of a different 

Page three 



ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }<^- 

disposition, for they, from points of land along the river, 
shot arrows at Hudson's crew. For this they were punished 
by a return fire which killed a dozen of them. 

Tradition tells us that the first settlements in the 
precincts of Orange County were made by Dutch pioneers 
along the Minisink, in the days when Nieu Amsterdam 
was an infant Dutch colony. Dates are vague, however, 
and historical facts regarding the early settlers are few. 
Records in existence show that it was toward the close of 
the 17th century that active competition in obtaining 
patents in the district began. On December 30th, 1702, 
the Chesecock patent was granted. This was followed 
on March 5, 1703, by the Wawayanda patent, and on 
August 28th, 1704, by the Minisink patent. 

Those patents were obtained by purchase from Indian 
proprietors, and each one covered extensive territories, the 
boundaries of which were defined in such general terms 
that for a long time there existed difficulties as to titles. 

og, ^ ^ 

Orange County derives its name from the fact that 
King William was a Prince of the House of Orange. The 
First Assembly which convened in the year 1691 passed 
an act entitled "An Act to divide the Province and Depend- 
encies into Shires and Counties," and Section VII of this 
Act provided: "The County of Orange to begin from the 
limits or bounds of East and West Jersey, on the West 
side of Hudson's river, along the said river to the Mur- 
derer's Creek, or bounds of the County of Ulster; and west- 
ward into the woods as far as the Delaware River." To 
this was added later the lands of Wagacheneck and Great 
and Little Minisink. 

Page four 



->^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }«*• 

In 1698 a first census of the county was ordered by 
Governor Bellomont, and it showed the population to 
consist of: 

29 men 
31 women 
140 children 
19 negro slaves 

Goshen was in the district known as the Wawayanda 
patent, acquired from the Indians by John Bridges and 
Company. Associated with Bridges were eleven other 
patentees who held the land in common until 1706, when 
it was divided into twelve parts. 

In 1712 Christopher Denn, a resident of New York 
City, a carpenter by trade, and one of the original patent- 
ees, after undergoing the hardships of a visit to his domain, 
determined to make a settlement upon it. Having selected 
a spot on the Otterkill, as it is now known, two miles or 
more from the present town of Goshen, he returned to 
New York, equipped an expedition and sent it into the 
wilderness in charge of his adopted daughter, Sarah Wells, 
who was then only 16 years of age. She was accompanied 
by two white men and some Indians whom he had taken 
to New York when returning from his first visit. 

An inventory of the various articles taken by them as 
an outfit and as told by Sarah Wells in after years is of 
interest. There were two horses with bells on, two milk 
cows with bells, two Irish brahmas, one spade, two pails, 
two beds and bedding, one small and one large kettle, 
wood trenches and bowls, candlesticks and candles, coffee 
pot with coffee, teapot, chocolate, tin canister with tea, 
a pair of trammels, a frying pan, small tin plates for 
saucers, silver teaspoons and sugar tongs, small china 
teacups and saucers, bundle of cloths, saddlebags, pillow 

Page five 



-•)f>^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }^«- 

saddles, knives and forks, some potatoes, wallets, medical 
cordials in vials, refined sugar in small pieces, brown sugar 
in rolls, flour, biscuit, ham in small sacks, and some trinkets, 
ribbons and small knives for the Indians. 

The record of this memorable expedition says that 
when Denn bade farewell to Sarah he said in subdued 
voice and affectionate tones: "Sarah, you have been kind 
and dutiful to us so far, and your present conduct confirms 
us in your kindness. The duty you have to perform is new 
and may be fatiguing, but must be accomplished now or 
the season may be lost. The workmen will take care of 
you while on the boat, and afterwards, the Indians, of 
whose friendship I have no doubt, will guide you through 
the woods to the place selected for our dwelling. The work 
is very important and what you do for Madame Denn and 
me is also done for the benefit of the company." He ended 
thus: "God save and bless you, Sarah." 

From New York this expedition went by raft to Corn- 
wall. Here a landing was effected and the journey con- 
tinued westward through trackless forest and over steep 
hills. Sarah Wells was hardly more than a child, and 
often her heart must have failed her. But she led her little 
band without mishap to the chosen site on the Otterkill, 
and here a rough cabin was built. Denn, troubled — as 
well he might be — at having sent a girl of 16 into unknown 
dangers, started within a short time with his wife for the 
settlement. They made the journey on horseback and 
arrived the very day that the cabin was completed, taking 
up their residence there. 

'^ "^ X 

Other settlers followed Christopher Denn, and soon the 
woods resounded with the sound of the axes and the in- 

Page six 



.^f ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }■#- 

vasion of the pioneer which was to drive the red men 
further into the wilderness was under way. 

A few years later Sarah Wells married William Bull of 
Wolverhampton, England. Bull, in 1716, had been em- 
ployed by Daniel Cromline, an early settler, to build the 
masonry of a dwelling that for many years afterward was 
known in the district as Greycourt House. The marriage 
of these two was the first Christian ceremony recorded 
within the limits of the town of Goshen. 

The ceremony took place in the new double log house 
of Christopher Denn. Bull was an Episcopalian, and 
desired to be married by the rites of his church. A curious 
difficulty arose as to the procedure. Courts of justice had 
been established and a magistrate was in the neighborhood, 
but there was no church and no clergyman who could 
proclaim the banns three weeks in advance. 

It was decided that circumstances alter cases, so the 
wedding guests were invited and when they arrived the 
magistrate, carrying a prayer book, proceeded first to the 
front door of the cabin and proclaimed the banns to the 
listening forest, then to the back door where he proclaimed 
them to the cattle and the outbuildings, and then, return- 
ing to the front door, proclaimed them once more to the 
forest. The letter of the law having thus been observed, 
he performed the ceremony. 

Sarah Wells' wedding dress was of homespun em- 
broidered by herself, and is still preserved by her descend- 
ants. In 1719 or 1720 the Bulls erected a log cabin for 
themselves on Christopher Denn's property at a place 
which they called Hamptonburgh in honor of Wolver- 
harhpton. Bull's home in England. Denn had given his 
adopted daughter 100 acres as a reward for conducting the 
expedition from New York, and on this, in 1727, they 

Page seven 



1 



-^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }#•- 

built the stone house to replace the cabin in which they 
spent the first few years of their married life, Sarah Wells 
helping in its construction by carrying many of the stones 
in her apron. This house stands today and is now known 
as the old stone house. It is owned by Ebenezer Bull, one 
of the descendants of William Bull and Sarah Wells. 

^ ^ ^ 

In 1788 the township of Warwick was created from the 
precinct of Goshen, and was named from the plantation of 
Benjamin Aske, one of the original Wawayanda patentees. 
The village of Warwick, however, had been settled in about 
1764. 

The territory comprising the present town of Monroe 
is part of the Chesecock Patent granted by Queen Anne. 
The tract was surveyed by Charles Clinton, grandfather 
of DeWitt Clinton. In 1764 it was set off from the precinct 
of Goshen and named Chesecock. In 1801 the name was 
changed to Southfield, and in 1808 the name of Monroe 
was adopted in honor of James Monroe, Fifth President of 
the United States. James Monroe achieved distinction 
in the war of the revolution and was honored by the govern- 
ment in high diplomatic commissions. For his distinguished 
public services his admirers in this community deemed it 
fit to honor him by naming their town after him. 

Chester has an important place in the history of the 
Orange County patent, for it was here that, from May to 
November, 1785, hearings were held to determine the 
boundary between the Chesecock and Wawayanda patents, 
which had been in dispute for many years. The hearings 
were in the barn behind the old Yelverton Inn, which 
still stands, though it long since ceased to be an Inn. The 

Page eight 



•*►{ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY 

counsels for the respective patentees were Alexander 
Hamilton and Aaron Burr. 

The old Inn which sheltered them as the trial dragged 
on through the summer was then owned by Abijah Yelver- 
ton, grandson of John Yelverton, who had come from 
Chester, England, and built it in pre-revolutionary days. 
Here too Washington had been entertained as he passed 
through Chester on July 27, 1782, and Governor Clinton 
had been a guest here. 



Page nine 



-•«>£ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY 



IN colonial days the settlers of Goshen had as allies two 
tribes of Indians, sometimes known as the Cashigton 
Indians, whose principal lodges were situated where now 
stands the village of Coshecton in Sullivan County. They 
formed a part of the Lenni Lenape, or Delaware Con- 
federacy, at one time powerful but in those days reduced 
in numbers. The western part of Orange County had 
from time immemorial been their hunting ground, but late 
in the year 1744 they retired to their lodges on the upper 
Delaware. 

This move of their faithful allies left the Colonists' 
outlying settlements on the frontiers exposed to the attack 
of hostile tribes, so the attention of the Colonial Govern- 
ment was called to the matter and Colonel DeKay of the 
Colonial troops was commanded to take a party and visit 
the Cashigton Indians, whose withdrawal had been accom- 
panied by open manifestations of distrust. It was DeKay 's 
hope that friendly relations might be restored and the red 
men be induced to return to their former hunting grounds. 

The Indians, claiming that they had left the neighbor- 
hood because they feared the people of Orange County, 
who were always under arms, it was explained to them 
that the arming of the settlers was by order of the Govern- 
ment and for protection against the French and their 
allies. The Indians were about to elect a new sachem and 
they promised DeKay that when he had been chosen they 
would send representatives to make a treaty. 

Thus the Indian Treaty of Orange County, with the 
ceremony of the Covenant Chain, came about. New 
Year's Day, 1 745 , was chosen as the date and on January 

Page ten 



-^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }^- 

3rd, two days later, a dozen of the head men of the two 
tribes, which used for totems the signs of Minsi or Wolf, 
and Uralachtgo or Turkey, stalked into the village of 
Goshen in their savage finery and down its main street. 

^ c^ ^ 

Just where the ceremony took place is not recorded, 
but it is probable that it was in the rudely constructed 
court house of those days. The spokesman explained that 
the Indians had brought a Belt of Wampum that friendship 
and brotherhood might be restored, and he asked that some- 
one might be appointed to enact with them the ceremony 
of the Covenant Chain. 

DeKay told them that the Governor alone had author- 
ity to make such an appointment, but as there was not 
time to communicate with him, he asked them to choose a 
representative. They selected the Colonel. He was then 
chained to them for an hour as a token of their being again 
united in the bonds of friendship. The Indians pledged 
themselves to be true "So long as the sun and moon endure," 
and to send runners at once if they learned of any plots 
against the English. They also agreed to join in fighting 
the enemy and asked that aid be given them in case of 
attack by the French. 

The promise of such aid was given, and while Colonel 
DeKay was still chained to the Indians they gave him the 
Belt of Wampum to be sent to the Governor. According 
to the quaint records of the occurrence, the Indians "re- 
joiced with three huzzas and departed very much pleased." 

During the French and Indian War, which began in 
1756, the people of Goshen were continually under arms, 
and later, during the years just prior to the Revolution, 
when the Colonists were growing restive under the exac- 

Page eleven 



-^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY J<44~ 

tions of King George, feeling was manifested to a marked 
degree in Goshen. On June 8th, 1775, more than 350 
men of the place signed the revolutionary pledge and the 
name of Henry Wisner headed the list. 

Wisner, who with his son, was a maker of powder for 
the Continental Army at Phillipsberg, stood foremost 
among those who advocated the independence of the 
Colonies. He represented Orange County in the Contin- 
ental Congress, and in April, 1776, was elected by a Con- 
vention held in the Yelverton Inn, Chester (then in the 
Township of Goshen), as a delegate to the Second Con- 
tinental Congress to protest against the unjust taxation. 
He took part in this Congress but left Philadelphia on the 
3rd of July for the purpose of manufacturing powder for 
Washington's Army. Consequently he was not present to 
sign the Declaration of Independence. 

There are today many of the old families in Orange 
County whose ancestors — Minute Men with hearts fired 
by the spark struck at Lexington — fought valiantly in the 
colonial service. Their names appear on the roster of the 
battles of Long Island and White Plains, the struggle in 
the Highlands, the capture of Fort Montgomery and the 
memorable slaughter of Minisink. 



Page ti»etve 



ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY 



ALMOST literally every foot of ground about Orange 
County is historic. On one of the high hills overlook- 
ing Goshen and the surrounding country a rough stone 
monument has been erected to mark the place where beacon 
fires were lighted in Revolutionary days, to signal to an- 
swering beacons on other far distant hills. The contract 
for making the last chain drawn across the Hudson at 
West Point on April 30th, 1778, was awarded at the house 
of Peter Townsend, who resided at that time in Chester. 
The chain was made at the Sterling Furnace. George 
Washington, during the Revolutionary War, spent consider- 
able time in Orange County. One day while riding with 
his staff eastward on the Florida Road, while absent from 
his headquarters at Newburgh, he stopped to rest, and 
talked with the children at the old school house near the 
stone quarry. 

During the years 1782-83 when the Revolutionary 
Army was encamped at Newburgh and New Windsor the 
officers and men were discontented and discouraged. They 
had received no pay for some time and the structure of 
the Revolutionary Government appeared to be seriously 
threatened. A number of officers conceived the idea of 
overturning the Government and making Washington 
king. Learning of the plot Washington, on March 15, 
1783, ordered all his generals and field officers, with one 
officer from each company, to meet him at the New Build- 
ing or Temple, about three miles southwest of Newburgh. 
There Washington read an address condemning the move- 
ment, and enlarging upon the evils to the country which 
must surely follow. He suggested that such a plan was 

Page thirleen 



-«>^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }^4<- 

the work of a spy, and appealed to the patriotism and 
loyalty of his hearers, and their allegiance to Congress. 
When he retired, leaving the matter to be discussed freely, 
the meeting unanimously passed a resolution condemning 
the movement as "totally submersive of all discipline and 
good order." 

On the site of this historic meeting the Society of the 
Cincinnati was born May 10, 1783, at the last cantonment 
of the American Army, and it still lives to perpetuate the 
memories of the Revolution. 

^ ^ ^ 

It was at the capture of Fort Clinton by the British 
in 1777 that Mollie Pitcher fired the last shot as the enemy 
scaled the parapet. Her husband having dropped his 
portfire, fled, but Mollie, picking it up, discharged the 
gun. Nine months later at the Battle of Monmouth, 
while she was bringing water to her husband, who was 
serving a gun, he was killed and Mollie Pitcher dropping 
her water bucket seized the rammer and avenged his 
death by taking his place. The next morning, covered with 
dirt and blood, she was presented to Washington by General 
Greene and was appointed a Sergeant and put on the half 
pay list for life. Becoming a favorite with the Army she 
thereafter appeared in artillery dress with a cocked hat. 
After the war she was provided for at West Point by the 
Government, and remained in that vicinity up to the time 
of her death. 

During the Civil War Orange County bore a notable 
share in the burdens of the period. On July 1st, 1862, 
President Lincoln having issued a call for 300,000 volun- 
teers. Governor Morgan appointed a military committee 
for Orange County, Ambrose S. Murray being the Goshen 

Page fourteen 



•••>^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }<^ - 

member. As a result of the call the 124th Regiment, 
afterwards famed as the "Orange Blossoms" was organized, 
and by August 23rd was ready for the field. It fought 
in many engagements from Manassas until Lee's surrender 
at Appomatox, and was disbanded at Washington's Head- 
quarters at Newburgh June 16th, 1865, with a record of 
208 service dead and 609 casualties in action. 

In the Great War Orange County supplied a large 
number of its sons to the service both under the volunteer 
and draft system, and subscribed more than its full quota 
of resources to bring victory. Many Orange County boys 
who joined the troops in 1917 and 1918 lie buried in the 

soil of France. 

^ ^ '^ 

Education and religion are cornerstones on which 
Orange County has reared its social structure; the first 
newspaper in the County, the Goshen Repository, was 
published in 1788 by David Mandeville. Schools and 
churches have dated from the first settlement and have 
had liberal support, though it is of interest to note that in 
1798 the salary of the first Presbyterian minister in the 
village of Chester amounted to the sum of $75.00 per 
annum, "with the privilege of teaching to piece out his 
support." 

Beneath the church at Blooming Grove lies the body of 
Enos Ayres, the first graduate of Princeton College. The 
College of New Jersey, as it was then called, graduated its 
first class in the year 1748, and Enos Ayres' name headed 
the class roll. He had five classmates, one of whom was 
Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. Enos Ayres entered the ministry and was the 
first pastor of the Blooming Grove Church, in the Hudson 

Page fifteen 



- «H[ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }<*- 

Presbytery. At his death in 1762 he was buried in the 
church yard. Two other graduates of the same college 
succeeded him as pastors of the church, and were buried 
beside him. In 1823 the church was rebuilt and was 
somewhat enlarged, and as it now stands it covers all 
three graves. In 1909 the Orange County Alumni of 
Princeton University thought it fitting to properly mark 
these graves and so erected a bronze tablet on the south 
wall of the interior of the Church as a memorial. The 
Blooming Grove church is not only historic on this account, 
but also because of its slave gallery. 

Orange County can boast of more than a small share 
of famous sons. Noah Webster taught in the first academy 
at Goshen. DeWitt Clinton attended school there, and 
William H. Seward, Secretary of State under Lincoln, was 
born in Florida and studied law in Goshen in the office of 
Judge Duer. Business, agriculture, engineering, finance, 
law, art, philosophy and journalism all have drawn to 
themselves, and been advanced by, sons of Orange County, 
who have made themselves leaders in their particular 
sphere. The interests and activities of the inhabitants of 
Orange County have been varied during its long history. 
It has sent out many of its sons, but its rolling hills, rich 
meadows and sheltered valleys have called them back, 
and many of them who as boys went out to seek their 
fortunes, success achieved, have returned to make their 
homes here. 



Page iixlecn 



■■>^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY 



FROM the early days of the last century Orange County 
has been famous for its trotting horses. In the village 
of Goshen is situated the finest half-mile track in the country 
and many famous horses are trained here. 

Perhaps the most famous of all the horses ever bred in 
the neighborhood was Hambletonian, who in the fall of 
1853, at the Orange County Fair, was awarded first prize 
and who afterward became the progenitor of many famous 
horses in the show class. Hambletonian was foaled in 
March, 1849. He was sired by Abdallah. His dam was 
the Charles Kent mare, who was owned and bred by 
Jonas Seely. Hambletonian was sold to William Rysdyck 
of Chester for $150. Rysdyk realized from this horse over 
$100,000. 

Another famous Orange County trotting horse was 
Goldsmith Maid, who made a world's record on July 4, 
1868, trotting a mile in 2:25. She was bred and owned by 
Alden Goldsmith, of the Walnut Grove Stock Farm at 
Washington ville. Hambletonian is remembered however, 
as Orange County's most famous horse; his colts in after 
years were placed on exhibition at the fairs and won 
numerous prizes, and various world's trotting records were 
made by his descendants. These records attracted such 
attention that there was great demand for the products of 
the Orange County stock farms, famous horses being pur- 
chased and taken to almost every part of the United States. 
When Hambletonian died he was buried on the hill of the 
Rysdyck place at Chester and a granite shaft which cost 
$3,000 now marks the grave. 

Page seventeen 



ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }<?«•- 

Orange County is noted the country over for its dairies. 
The idea of shipping fresh milk from the country to distant 
consumers in the city originated with a road contractor 
named William Selleck, who interested some of the leading 
farmers in the district around Chester in the project and 
succeeded in getting a supply sent by the Erie Railroad in 
the Spring of 1842. It was shipped in the blue pyramid 
churns of the day and the price paid the farmer was 2 cents 
a quart placed on the cars at Chester. Soon finding that 
there was more money to be made from milk at 2 cents a 
quart than butter at 15 cents a pound, the farmer began 
sending milk to Selleck, and thus the milk business of the 
county was bom. This business has been the cause of the 
building of four railroads in Orange County and has 
returned to it millions of dollars. 

Before the days of the railroads the route to New York 
from Orange County was by steamer from Newburgh, and 
in still earlier days those journeying to New York had to 
make the trip by sailing vessel. A Newburgh paper of 
1817 carries an advertisement to the effect that the "Sloop 
Attentive, Samuel M. Logan, Master, will leave every 
Tuesday from Ellison's Dock, New Windsor, and will 
return from New York every Saturday until other arrange- 
ments are made, commencing on Tuesday, April the first." 
This, of course, was after the ice was out of the river. 

Little did Hendrick Hudson realize as he gazed from 
the deck of the Halfe Maen over the wooden hills stretch- 
ing westward from the river how great a truth he was 
uttering when he said it would be a pleasant place to live, 
nor could the far-seeing Dutchman see far enough to grasp 
the future of this pleasant land. 



Page eighteen 



•4->t ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY JO 

The National Bank 

of Orange County 



THIS institution was originally chartered in the winter 
of 1812 as "The President, Directors, and Company 
of the Bank of Orange County," with a capital of $44,000. 
The par value of each share was $10. The first board of 
directors was made up of the following: Richard Trimble, 
George Monell, John Barber, Abraham Schultz, James W. 
Wilkin, George D. Wickham, John Duer, David W. West- 
cott, John G. Hurtin, Moses Phillips, Jr., John Bradner, 
Alanson Austin, and Reuben Hopkins. George D. Wick- 
ham was chosen president and continued in that office 
until his death, November, 1845. The bank was first 
opened temporarily in the parlor of the house now known 
as 242 Main Street, Goshen, and was shortly afterward 
moved to the house now occupied by Russell Murray. 
The banking space was in the south end of the house and 
a vault was constructed directly beneath, by walling off 
part of the cellar. A trap door in the floor gave access to 
the vault. The office walls were lined with metal plates 
which remain intact today. 

Up to 1843 practically all business in Goshen was trans- 
acted on Main Street, between the present Court House 
and Johnson's Corner. The lawyers' offices centered around 
the Court House and the business concerns at the upper 
end. This was due to the fact that all communication with 
New York City was carried on by stage coach to New- 
burgh and thence by water to New York. The site now 

Page nineteen 



-*^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY J<*- 

occupied by the Presbyterian Church was on the southern 
edge of the town in an open field. 

In 1842 the Erie Railroad completed its line to Goshen 
and from then on business gradually left Main Street and 
moved down around the present railroad station. Ten 
years later, in 1852, the Bank of Orange County purchased 
its present site, 54 West Main Street, and moved to the 
new business section. 

og, og, og. 



In 1845, Ambrose S. Murray, who had been cashier of 
the Bank since 1834, was elected president, and in the same 
year the capital was increased from $44,000 to $55,000, the 
par value of each share being increased to $12.50. At 
that time the board of directors comprised the following: 
George D. Wickham, John W. Smith, Moses Phillips, 
Isaac Jennings, Hudson McFarlan, D. H. Moffatt, Jr., 
I. R. Van Duzer, Samuel Williams, Oliver Davis, James 
W. Wilkin, James Hulse, Isaac Van Duzer, Richard 
Trimble. 

On January 1st, 1865, the Bank of Orange County 
entered the national banking system, organized to assist 
in maintaining the credit of the United States Government, 
which had suffered severely during the Civil War. The 
capital of the bank was increased, this time to $110,000, 
with the following named directors: Ambrose S. Murray, 
Geo. M. Grier, Richard M. Vail, George F. Talman, 
Algernon S. Dodge, Wm. H. Houston, George T. Wisner, 
Wm. F. Sharpe, Charles B. Hoffman, John H. Morris, 
George Mapes, John Wallace. The name was changed 
from The Bank of Orange County to The National Bank 
of Orange County, Goshen, N. Y. 

Page ti»enl]f 



-0^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY J^- 

Before the re-organization under the national banking 
laws, and while transacting business under its charter from 
the state, the bank's bills were printed upon fine yellow 
tinted paper, which, in consequence of their peculiar color 
and the locality where they originated, were known, not 
only throughout the county, but the country, as "Butter 
Money." At this time many issues of state bank notes 
were not accepted at their face value, except in the im- 
mediate vicinity of their issue, due to the lack of uniform 
national banking laws. Nevertheless, this "Butter Money" 
was considered, wherever and whenever presented, equal 
to gold, and many of these notes may still be found in 
the possession of those who keep them as mementoes of 
the past. 

■^ ^ "g? 



In 1885, after fifty-four years of service, as clerk, 
cashier, and president, A. S. Murray died and was suc- 
ceeded by his eldest son, George W. Murray, who had 
been elected Vice-President of the institution in 1877. 

The new president brought to the bank twenty years 
successful experience as a merchant in New York City, 
and under his direction and management the bank grew 
and prospered, becoming the strongest institution of its 
size in this part of the country. During the boom times 
following the Civil War, large dividends had been paid on 
the stock, but in the period following, business was poor 
and when George W. Murray took the presidency, the 
dividend rate was 8 per cent. During his lifetime this was 
increased, until in July, 1917, the rate reached 20 per cent. 

In the panic of 1907, when many financial institutions 

Page iTi>eni};-one 



-^ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY ]^K- 

were threatened, a run was started on an Orange County 
banking institution. Mr. Murray, who reaHzed that such 
a dangerous movement would have to be quickly checked, 
announced publicly that he personally, together with the 
National Bank of Orange County, would stand behind the 
threatened institution. The run was immediately stopped 
and confidence restored. 

In November, 1917, on the death of George W. Murray, 
F. W. Murray, Jr., of New York City, a nephew, was 
elected President. At the same time C. S. Edsall, the 
cashier, was elected Vice-President, and C. S. Young, the 
assistant cashier, became cashier. At the time of his 
election as president, Mr. Murray was serving as an officer 
in the United States Navy at sea and did not assume his 
active duties at the bank until July, 1919. 

In January, 1920, safe deposit boxes were installed in 
the bank's vault and on November 1st, 1920, an Interest 
Department was opened in order to more efficiently serve 
the community. In February, 1921, an electrical protec- 
tive system against daylight holdup and night burglary 
was completed. 

The bank has now completed its one hundred and tenth 
year of service to the community. As an institution dating 
back to the early days of the American Republic, it repre- 
sents a long and honorable career under conservative 
management, and today, with greater facilities than at 
any time in the past, is endeavoring to promote the best 
interests of Goshen and vicinity. 



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ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY 



Officers 

Presiden ts 

George D. Wickham, 1812-1845 
Ambrose S. Murray, 1845-1885 
George W. Murray, 1885-1917 
Francis W. Murray, Jr., 1917 — to date 

Vice- Presiden ts 

George W. Murray, 1877-1885 
Charles S. Edsall, 1917— to date 

Cashiers 

Henry A. Townsend, 1812-1813 
James W. Wilkin, 1813 
Morris Robinson, 1813-1820 
Jonathen Burrill, 1820-1824 
Henry Seward, 1824-1834 
Ambrose S. Murray, 1834-1845 
Thomas T. Reeve, 1845-1857 
William T. Russell, 1857 
Charles J. Everett, 1857-1905 
Charles S. Edsall, 1905-1917 
Charles S. Young, 1917— to date 



Page tr»enl})-lhree 



•)4H[ ORANGE COUNTY — A HISTORY }<*•• 



Directors 

C. S. Edsall, Goshen, N. Y. 
J. F. Halstead, Goshen, N. Y. 
F. W. Murray, Jr., Goshen, N. Y. 
C. S. Patterson, Tuxedo Park, N. Y. 
C. S. Young, Goshen, N. Y. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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